What is the market's earnings forecast for European Wax Center next quarter?

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Did European Wax Center beat or miss consensus estimates last quarter?

What were the key takeaways from European Wax Center's earnings call?

What is European Wax Center's gross profit margin?

What factors drove the changes in European Wax Center's revenue and profit?

What is the revenue and EPS growth rate for European Wax Center year over year?

What does European Wax Center do and what are its main business segments?

- **Revenue resilience**: 20 basis points same-store growth despite macro challenges.
- **Profitability boost**: 37.2% EBITDA margin, up 400 basis points YoY.
- **Operational turnaround**: Closure range narrowed to 35-40, 2026 net positive growth on track.
- **Marketing momentum**: 60% guest contactability, 53% website traffic lift, but new guest acquisition needs 2026 focus.
- **Financial strength**: $73.6 million cash, 3.9x leverage, stable free cash flow.


**【CEO Summary】**
- **System-wide sales**: $238.2 million, down 0.8% YoY due to closed centers, with same-store sales growth of 20 basis points.
- **Adjusted EBITDA**: $20.2 million (up 9.6% YoY), margin improving to 37.2%.
- **Strategic priorities**: 
  1. **Traffic growth**: Enhanced marketing re-engaged 60% of guests, driving frequency through data-driven campaigns.
  2. **Operational excellence**: New COO focus on in-center execution, reducing closures to 35-40 (from 40-60) with 2026 net positive growth.
  3. **Expansion**: 12 gross openings in 2025, targeting 2026 profitable expansion.
- **Regional trends**: Stability in core guests, with challenges in NY/D.C. and improvement in California.

**【CFO Financial Commentary】**
- **Revenue**: $54.2 million (down 2.2% YoY), with gross margin at 73.3%.
- **Cost management**: SG&A down $4.5 million, advertising spend optimized for efficiency.
- **Balance sheet**: $73.6 million cash, $387 million debt, net leverage 3.9x.
- **Outlook**: Full-year system-wide sales $940-950 million, EBITDA $69-71 million, net income $31-33 million.

**【Q&A Highlights】**
- **Marketing effectiveness**: 75% improvement in influencer content, 53% lift in website visitors, but new guest acquisition remains a 2026 focus.
- **Unit closures**: Driven by low-volume units with lease expirations, 2026 NCOs expected to return to growth.
- **Financial discipline**: Maintaining 3%+ advertising spend, tariff mitigation via diversified suppliers.


European Wax Center, Inc. (EWCZ) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

- **Q2 Growth Momentum**: Same-store sales up 30bps, adjusted EBITDA $21.6M (+4.7% YoY), with early signs of transaction growth (1.7% YoY in June). 
- **Strategic Execution**: 40% cost per acquisition improvement, 57% contactability rate driving 0.5x visit frequency gains. 10-12 center openings on track for 2025, targeting net growth in 2026.
- **Financial Discipline**: Adjusted EBITDA margin 38.7% (up 420bps YoY), with $15.2M cash flow from operations. 2025 outlook narrows to $940-950M system-wide sales, reflecting cautious near-term outlook.
- **Leadership Impact**: New COO and CDO appointments driving operational excellence and disciplined expansion, with franchisee confidence up 20% post-brand conference.


**【Management Opening Remarks】**
- CFO Tom Kim provided an overview of the call structure, emphasizing forward-looking statements and non-GAAP financial measures. He highlighted the importance of data-driven strategies and the company's focus on disciplined execution.

**【CEO Commentary】**
- **Q2 Performance**: System-wide sales of $257.6 million, 30 basis points of same-store sales growth, and $21.6 million in adjusted EBITDA. Early signs of improvement in transaction growth (1.7% YoY in June, 1.5% in Q3 weeks).
- **Strategic Priorities**: 
  - **Traffic Growth**: 40% improvement in cost per acquisition through data-driven marketing; 4 top-performing ad creatives identified. Contactability rate increased to 57%, driving 0.5x visit frequency improvement.
  - **4-Wall Profitability**: Franchisee EBITDA margins improved 170 basis points in highly engaged centers. Over 2,000 support touchpoints delivered, including 400 field visits and 200 labor analytics reports.
  - **Unit Growth**: 7 centers opened in Q2, on track for 10-12 openings in 2025. 2026 target: return to net unit growth with focus on underpenetrated markets.
- **Leadership Updates**: Appointments of COO Angela Jaskolski and CDO Kurt Smith to enhance operational excellence and development strategy.

**【CFO Financial Commentary】**
- **Q2 Financials**: 
  - Total revenue $55.9 million (-6.6% YoY), driven by lower wholesale and retail contributions.
  - Gross margin 74.6%, up modestly due to royalty and product margin improvements.
  - Adjusted EBITDA $21.6 million (+4.7% YoY), margin 38.7% (up 420 basis points).
  - Net cash from operations $15.2 million, supporting $8.8 million remaining under $50M share buyback.
- **2025 Outlook**: 
  - System-wide sales $940-950 million (flat to +1% same-store sales). Revenue $205-209 million, reflecting intentional investments in franchise health.
  - Adjusted EBITDA unchanged at $69-71 million, driven by cost discipline.
  - Unit closures expected to accelerate in Q3/Q4, with 15-16 net closures in Q3.

**【Q&A Highlights】**
- **Unit Ramping**: 2025 openings outperforming pre-pandemic levels, with 18 units since Oct 2024 exceeding expectations. New grand opening playbook focuses on staffing, training, and LSM tactics.
- **Closure Strategy**: Closures focused on underperforming centers; 2026 net growth target supported by improved marketing, operations, and franchisee confidence.
- **Marketing Effectiveness**: 40% cost per acquisition improvement; referrals driving 20% of new guests. Franchisees adopting centralized marketing strategies for 30% efficiency gains.
- **Regional Performance**: Strength in Texas, Florida, and New York offsetting West Coast challenges. Data analytics targeting downtrend guests to restore routines.
- **Product Pipeline**: Wax Pass sales up 2% YoY; retail team focused on transaction growth while maintaining product innovation.
- **Labor Efficiency**: Long-term focus on volume-driven margin improvement; short-term GSA process optimizations.


European Wax Center, Inc. (EWCZ) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

- **Q1 Performance**: $225.9M system-wide sales, 70bps same-store growth, $18.8M EBITDA. Reiterated full-year guidance amid macro uncertainty.
- **Marketing Momentum**: Early signs of new guest growth (2-year stack). Launching data-driven ads and refined brand strategy for high-value guests.
- **Franchisee Support**: Enhanced tools, 50% LMS engagement, and 10-12 new openings in 2025. Focus on underpenetrated markets.
- **Financial Resilience**: $12.7M Q1 cash flow, 4.3x leverage. Tariffs (~10% on half of costs) managed without guidance impact.
- **Key Risks**: Center closures (40-60 net), macro consumer trends, and tariff volatility.

**【CEO Summary Section】**
- **Q1 2025 Results**: System-wide sales of $225.9M, 70bps same-store sales growth, and $18.8M adjusted EBITDA. Reiterated full-year guidance amid uncertain consumer backdrop.
- **100-Day Priorities**: Modernized marketing engine, franchisee support, and strategic expansion. Focus on new guest acquisition and noncore visit frequency.
- **Marketing Progress**: Early traction in new guest trends (2-year basis improvement). Launching data-driven ad campaigns, including a new "champion" ad for summer 2025. Refining brand identity to target high-value guests.
- **Franchisee Support**: Enhanced tools for underperforming centers, 50% increase in LMS engagement. Annual franchisee event to reinforce growth strategies.
- **Expansion Strategy**: 10-12 gross openings, 40-60 closures (net 28-50). Focused on underpenetrated markets with strong demand. Upgraded market planning tools for better site selection.

**【CFO Financial Commentary】**
- **Revenue**: $51.4M (down 90bps vs. prior year), driven by lower retail/wholesale revenue. Q1 exceeded internal expectations due to franchisee order patterns.
- **Gross Margin**: 74.2% (up modestly due to royalty/marketing fee mix). Tariffs (~10% on half of product costs) managed through supplier collaboration; no immediate impact on guidance.
- **EBITDA**: $18.8M (7.2% YoY growth), margin 36.5% vs. 33.7% prior year. Advertising expense down $1.4M due to timing.
- **Balance Sheet**: $58.3M cash, $389M senior notes, 4.3x net leverage. $12.7M Q1 operating cash flow.
- **Outlook**: System-wide sales $940-960M (flat YoY). Same-store sales flat to +2%. Revenue $210-214M, EBITDA $69-71M. Tariff mitigation efforts ongoing.

**【Q&A Highlights】**
- **Tariff Strategy**: Exploring alternative suppliers, no immediate impact on guidance. 10% tariff on half of product costs managed through supplier collaboration.
- **Center Closures**: 40-60 closures (net 28-50) driven by underperforming units. Focus on supporting franchisees through tools and marketing.
- **Marketing Cadence**: Evenly spread ad spend (~3% of sales) to avoid Q1 lumpiness. Testing new creative for summer 2025 peak season.
- **Wax Pass Dynamics**: 75% of sales from Wax Pass holders. No immediate plans to change ratio, but testing new revenue streams.
- **Franchisee Sentiment**: Strong partnership with franchisees; closures reflect past rapid expansion, not brand weakness.


European Wax Center, Inc. (EWCZ) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

- **2025 Reset Year**: 40-60 store closures expected to address profitability challenges, with disciplined reopening in 2026.
- **Core Guest Resilience**: 75% of sales from loyal Wax Pass holders, stable despite macro headwinds.
- **Gross Margin Expansion**: 74.3% in Q4 2024 vs 72.4% prior year, driven by cost savings.
- **Marketing Investment**: $9-11M in 2025 for data infrastructure and ad spend optimization.
- **Leadership Transition**: New exec team (CFO, CCO, CDO) to drive operational excellence and growth.
- **California Pressure**: Higher inflation impacting profitability in key market.


**【CEO Opening Remarks】**
- Chris Morris highlighted the company's market leadership as the largest out-of-home waxing provider, 11x larger than competitors. 
- Key challenges include declining transactions, profitability pressures, and underperforming centers. 
- 2025 priorities: 
  1. Build data-driven marketing engine to drive traffic 
  2. Strengthen franchisee support infrastructure 
  3. Implement disciplined, profitable expansion strategy 
  4. Assemble world-class leadership team 
- Expected 10-12 gross new centers and 40-60 closures in 2025, with net closures of 28-50 centers.
- Target to reignite unit growth by end of 2026 through improved infrastructure and execution.

**【CFO Financial Review】**
- Q4 2024: 
  - System-wide sales $229.3M (+1.1% vs 13-week 2023)
  - Same-store sales +0.8%
  - Total revenue $49.7M (-4.6%)
  - Gross margin 74.3% (+190bps vs Q4 2023)
  - Adjusted EBITDA $19M (-1.6%)
  - Adjusted net income $8.1M (+37%)
- FY 2024: 
  - System-wide sales $951M (+1.2%)
  - Adjusted EBITDA $75.5M (-0.7%)
  - Adjusted net income $25.6M (+15.2%)
- 2025 Outlook: 
  - System-wide sales $940-960M (flat YoY)
  - Total revenue $210-214M
  - Adjusted EBITDA $69-71M
  - Gross margin ~74%
  - Capital expenditures $9-11M (60% non-cash)

**【Q&A Highlights】**
- **Store Closures**: 40-60 closures expected in 2025, driven by profitability pressures and franchisee consolidation. California centers disproportionately impacted by inflation.
- **4-Wall Economics**: Mature centers maintain ~$1M AUV and 40% cash-on-cash returns, but underperforming units need operational improvements.
- **Marketing Strategy**: Testing new messaging, optimizing ad spend timing, and building data analytics capabilities to better measure ROI.
- **Cost Savings**: Ongoing product cost negotiations and supply chain efficiencies drove 2024 margin expansion; expect similar savings in 2025.
- **Core Guests**: Wax Pass holders and routine guests remain stable, contributing 75% of sales. Efforts focused on re-engaging lapsed guests and acquiring new customers.
- **Franchisee Support**: Adding development resources, conducting network reviews, and implementing proactive closure risk assessments.


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